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July 24, 2024 | International, Land

UK signs $227 million contract with Thales for new Martlet missiles

The order for multirole missiles will replenish munitions previously donated to Ukraine

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/07/24/uk-signs-227-million-contract-with-thales-for-new-martlet-missiles/

On the same subject

  • US Air Force relaunches effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper drone

    June 8, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    US Air Force relaunches effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper drone

    By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — It has been eight years since the U.S. Air Force canceled its effort to field a successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, but it appears the service might take another swing at developing a new combat drone. On June 3, the Air Force issued a request for information on a next-generation unmanned aircraft with strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, with the intent to accept delivery of the first systems in 2030 and field them in 2031. The solicitation was first reported on by Aviation Week. “With the MQ-9 platform planning for end of service life, a need to identify a solution that continues to provide for this demand is imperative,” the RFI stated. “The purpose of this RFI is to research potential solutions for the Next Generation UAS ISR/Strike platform, the Next Generation Medium Altitude UAS and potential follow-on program to the MQ-9 weapon system.” The Air Force is looking to collect market research on existing technologies as well as systems that are currently under development, with a focus on drones that incorporate advanced technologies such as autonomy, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital engineering and open-mission systems. In addition, the service is open to attritable technologies — meaning systems that are not cheap enough to be considered expendable, but some losses are still expected in combat. “The Air Force is also interested in researching alternative ways to support future lower-end, lower-cost ISR missions which may include initiatives to modernize, augment, and/or replace existing systems,” the RFI stated. “This RFI inquires about unique and innovative practices that can deliver relevant capability efficiently, timely and at a reduced life-cycle cost.” Although the Air Force has not solidified an acquisition strategy, it intends to hold multiple competitions for the air vehicle itself, as well as its ground control systems and the suite of sensors and data exploitation technology it will use to collect and dissect information. Each technology area will be built to open-architecture standards. Responses to the RFI are due July 20. This latest effort would mark the second time the Air Force has tried to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, currently being manufactured by General Atomics. In its first attempt, known as MQ-X, the service sought to procure a more survivable combat drone that could operate in contested spaces where a Reaper cannot fly. The program was canceled in 2012. Over the years, the Air Force remained mostly quiet about what an MQ-9 replacement could look like. But in 2019, Kenneth Bray, acting associate deputy chief of staff for ISR, said the service has done a fair amount of behind-the-scenes thinking on the topic over the past three to four years. But instead of starting with requirements for the aircraft itself, Bray said the service focused on the data the system would collect and how to optimize the drone's design to to gather and use that information. “We're starting to think not from the sensor or from the platform, we're starting to think from the data and decide: Is it even collecting the right size data, or do I need to have different sensors on those platforms?” he told Defense News. “Are those platforms even relevant anymore, or do I need a different platform because what I need is this type of data, and only this type of platform can get me that type of data? That is how we're going to change our thinking.” In March, Will Roper, the Air Force's top acquisition official, said the service is working on a study that will inform the fiscal 2022 budget and lay out a path for replacing the MQ-9 Reaper. Finding a single replacement to fill the MQ-9′s strike and surveillance mission is unlikely, Roper said, as the service wants to be able to operate in all environments without solely relying on exquisite, pricey systems. The service may need a family of systems that includes high-end, military-specific drones as well as cheaper UAVs that could be sourced from the commercial unmanned systems market, he said. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/06/04/the-air-force-is-looking-for-a-next-gen-replacement-to-the-mq-9-reaper-drone/

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 17, 2020

    August 21, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 17, 2020

    AIR FORCE L3Harris Technologies Inc., Clifton, New Jersey, has been awarded a $55,000,000 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders for innovative research and development and to provide the Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory simulation and testbed capabilities required to rapidly develop, integrate, mature, insert and transition technologies/systems to meet critical/urgent warfighter mission requirements. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 18, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,785,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-20-D-1960). NAVY B.L. Harbert International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a$23,160,000 firm-fixed-price task order N69450-20-F-0891 under a multiple award construction contract for entry control facility (ECF) upgrades at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans. The work to be performed provides for both on-site and off-site work to construct an ECF consisting of single story steel‐framed, reinforced concrete masonry units with standing seam metal roofs and pile foundations. It also constructs a reinforced concrete bridge to cross the Barriere Canal. The options, if exercised, provide for the visitor control center building and parking, commercial vehicle inspection office, canopy and parking and furniture, fixtures and equipment for the ECF, visitor control center and commercial vehicle inspection office. The task order also contained five unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $26,175,624. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed by January 2023. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $23,160,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-19-D-0908). (Awarded Aug. 13, 2020) ARMY CPP Construction, Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded a $9,627,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the McMillan backwash discharge to sewer construction project. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 23, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Washington aqueduct capital improvement funds in the amount of $9,627,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-20-C-0033). Curtin Maritime Corp.,* Long Beach, California, was awarded a $7,999,999 firm-fixed-price contract for to deepen the Port of Hueneme federal navigation channels in Ventura County, California. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Port Hueneme, California, with an estimated completion date of March 15, 2021. Fiscal 2020 civil Navy funds in the amount of $7,999,999 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity (W912PL-20-C-0029). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2315678/source/GovDelivery/

  • Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) looks to investment in South Africa

    September 25, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR

    Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) looks to investment in South Africa

    Helmoed-Römer Heitman, Pretoria Saudi Arabia is considering investing in the defence industries of South Africa, the chief executive of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) confirmed during the African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition. Dr Andreas Schwer's comments were made following an earlier vist by SAMI representatives to South Africa to discuss investment in national defence organisation Denel. SAMI's interest has centred on munitions, guided weapons, artillery systems, and optronics and the state-owned organisation has indicated that it would consider establishing a research and development centre in South Africa. SAMI's expression of interest coincided with comments from Denel acting chief executive Mike Kgobe who indicated that his company is actively seeking equity partners. https://www.janes.com/article/83303/sami-looks-to-investment-in-south-africa

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